Sorry Owly, I've never been there before either. The highest I've been on Fl west coast is Marco Island to Tarpon Springs and all up and down the east coast. Siesta Key on the gulf side below Sarasota was the best beach in Florida in my opinion.

Amelia Island on the east coast by JAX is also a possibility. There is a Ritz on the beach there that is one of the most beautiful hotels I have ever seen. The drawbacks: It is pretty expensive and you won't want to leave!

Hello Owl

I have never been there either, but I looked at that area and I see that Panama beach is also there, I know thats a big spring break area so it must be nice. Keep in mind that it's all the Gulf of Mexico, nice, but not the ocean. Not sure if its possible but since you are comming this far already, can you make an extra day of it and maybe head over to Daytona beach? Thats lots of fun, you can drive your car right onto the beach, Real nice....
Just a suggestion.
Either way I am sure you will have a "hoot"

Mike

owllover, we rent 2 houses every year on St George island, it's very nice and quiet. The houses we rent are huge and kinna expensive, but there's between 20 and 30 of us so it's well worth the cost. I live in Panama City and it gets very busy here on the beach during the summer. We go to St George to get away from the rat-race. To me, the gulf coast area beaches are much nicer, the sand is alot whiter and the water is a lot cleaner and lots more pretty. As far as the Florida panhandle, you can't go wrong from Pensacola all the way to St. George Island.

On the very east end of St George Island is a state park that has camping, I think you'll enjoy!! Google St. George Island, you'll see what it's like.